The 2017-18 season has so far been a positive one for RSA Street Stockers driver Chris Marino, who has already achieved numerous strong results thanks to his pleasing form.

A member of the Western Sydney Street Stockers club, Marino has been a model of consistency throughout the season, having contested every Western Sydney Street Stocker Club Championship rounds, which saw him win a feature race at Nowra Speedway, while also collecting second, third and fourth-place finishes at Sydney’s Valvoline Raceway.

Photo: Lone Wolf Photography

In addition to his feature-race success, Marino’s season highlight so far came in the NSW Title, which was recently held at Moruya’s Surfair Speedway. Qualifying seventh for the NSW Title-deciding feature race, after experiencing a somewhat challenging run throughout his heat races, he showed great pace aboard his NSW # 81 Energetic Tree Lopping / Rigtek Rope Access supported VY Holden Commodore, making his way up to second place in the closing stages of the race.

While Marino felt that he had the speed to challenge for the victory, he wasn’t quite able to execute a winning pass on eventual winner Brendan Wakeman and came home in a pleasing second place.

“I was rapt to come away with second in the NSW Title and very proud of the fact that I came from the fourth row in the field, particularly given the calibre of drivers I was up against,” expressed the 37-year-old racer, who is also a member of the Cullen Bullen and Moruya clubs.

“It’s been a really consistent run so far this season, so I’m hoping to continue that for the rest of the season as I chase the Western Sydney Club Championship, along with trying to make amends at the Australian Title.”

Having always had a passion for cars, Marino initially made his start in speedway in 2016, when he saw a few speedway sedans returning from the nearby Nowra Speedway while on a holiday, inspiring him to drive to Mudgee the following day and bought an AU Ford Falcon, which he ran for half a season in the Aussie Sixes class, winning the Surfair Speedway Track Championship in the process.

Purchasing the ex-Nigel O’Neill VY Holden Commodore prior to the beginning of last season, Marino experienced a mixed 2016-17 campaign. With one of his highlights being his Cullen Bullen Raceway Track Championship victory, Marino also suffered a myriad of mechanical issues throughout the season, one of which ended his maiden NSW Title attempt mid-race while running sixth.

Photo: 44 Photography

Planning to continue chasing the Western Sydney Street Stockers Club Championship this season, which he is currently leading by 22 points, Marino will contest each of the remaining Club Championship rounds, while also participating in the Australian Title at Valvoline Raceway on May 12. In the latter event, he hopes to make amends for last season’s attempt, which saw him place second, before later being disqualified due to a technical infringement.

Marino would like to thank the following 2017-18 season sponsors for their support: Energetic Tree Lopping, Rigtek Rope Access, Chuck’s Bobcat and Excavations, SAAM Muay Thai, PKW Performance, Bridgestone - Campbelltown (Dave), Highline Racewear (Fiona), and Tint Me Up. Special thanks go to his partner Natalie and their kids: Breeanna, Tiarnna and Christopher, along with Ben Cartwright and Corey Foyle.

To find out more about Marino and his team, LIKE them on Facebook by searching Team Marino Racing.